video; @fromTV (with bonus Loki)

[spellslots]

[The scene: the central room of the ice maze, cleared of gifts and drinks, replaced by an oversized throne that looks as though it belongs in some nightmare castle. On the throne sits Loki, in full Asgardian regalia, while Taako has managed to find a perch on the side of the throne, legs dangling off the side lazily, with an arm draped around Loki’s shoulders. He has no regalia to fall back on, so he’s gone for something black and striking, to match the theme of this little spectacle and to not clash horribly with Loki; his hair is braided tightly and his long nails are tipped with silver jewellery that he likely stole from Rin. In the background, there are faint sounds of panic; no screams yet, but questioning, worried voices, the sounds of people who are just starting to realize they should be afraid.]

Citizens of Riverview, [ Loki speaks in a low, lazy drawl that does nothing to hide the menace and power in his voice. ] We have lost our patience with you. So we will be taking over your charming little city. Freedom, after all, is life’s great lie. We will bring order to your messy lives.

[In contrast to Loki’s almost lazy indifference, Taako’s grin is sharp, a slight manic edge to his tone.]

Let’s not be too generous, calling it charming is a stretch and we could do so much better for ourselves, like say, the Capital World. We’re fucking sick and tired of playing nice with a bunch of idiots who wouldn’t know magical power if it bit them in the ass, but maybe the rest of this universe will have some more sense. Which is where-- [In the background, someone screams something about being let out, and Taako sighs deeply.] I wasn’t fucking finished.

[He raises a hand and what looks like black lightning seems to crackle over his fingers, spreading out across the ice and off screen as the background sounds fall deathly silent.]

I know they say to never work with children or animals, but honestly, it’s people that really get to you. [He pauses, lifts a shoulder in a lazy what can you do? sort of shrug] As I was saying, what we need from you is a shuttle to get off this shithole once we're done here.

Comply with our demands . . . or else the rest of you will suffer the same fate that befall those who rebel against us. Succumb to your natural state, your desire for subjugation.

[ As if on cue, a few sparrows fly past them, frost already spreading on their wings. ]

Comments

[scholiast]

(Lucretia makes a wounded face.)

You don't think I'm fun?

[spellslots]

I don't wanna lie to you, bubbale, but I dunno if you'll like the truth...

[He's a shit]

[scholiast]

That's true, I can very famously not handle the truth.

(Ha ha ha.)

Magnus thinks I'm fun.

[spellslots]

Magnus kept a pet rock for twenty years.

[Is that true? Does it matter?]

[scholiast]

(Lucretia frowns, trying to remember if that's true or not.)

He... is that the one he dropped off the side of the Starblaster, around cycle forty-something? (Yeah, she remembers now!)

He tried to make Davenport go back for it.

[spellslots]

Wasn't that one of his ducks?

[Honestly he can't remember, Magnus getting overattached is just a regular occurance.]

[scholiast]

Let's face it, it could have been anything.

(It has probably been both of those things and more.)

I miss the ducks, actually. I'm gonna see if I can commission one from him.

[spellslots]

I bet you twenty bucks you get one for Candlenights.

[Magnus can be a one trick pony, when he learns a new trick.]

[scholiast]

I hope I do! I can build my collection again.

(She winks.) Got all your shopping figured out?

[spellslots]

The worst part is you're probably being fucking serious.

[Taako: I don't care for ducks]

Pretty much got it down, I've got some cool shit for you, that's for sure.

[Now she has to Suffer]

[scholiast]

There's a special place in my heart for Magnus' arts and crafts.

(If she could put the ducks on her fridge with a magnet, she would.)

Oh– shit, really? (She has something for him too but she can play the part.) I thought we weren't doing gifts.

[spellslots]

You also kept Merle's shitty gift from the beach year, so...

[No one can trust Lucretia's judgement.]

Nah nah nah, don't try that, we agreed on presents, but nothing over 20 gold.

[scholiast]

It's the thought that counts.

(She values that kinda thing.)

Yeah I know, I'm just razzing. I'm– I think I've got some good stuff for you lot.

[spellslots]

[Taako makes a doubtful sort of sound, but isn't going to argue about Merle's bad gift giving.]

It better be good, you're competing with Taako.

[Gift giving isn't supposed to be a competition, but...]

[scholiast]

I'm deliberately assigning myself second place in gift giving preemptively because I know whatever you give us is going to be way outside the theoretical coin limit, even if only 'hand made'.

(She knows him.)

[spellslots]

Shit, it's almost like we've known each other for a century.

[o wait]

[scholiast]

Almost like that, yeah.

(this is dumb)

What are you getting Lup?

[spellslots]

And give you ideas? Not on your life.

[He's being a shit.]

[scholiast]

I already have her gift, (she points out, rolling her eyes,) you lot are easy to shop for.

I'm a bit stumped on Beverly, though.